Cousin Charlie (Part 2)
McCoy couldn't wait to track down Uhura and tell her the news of Spock's cousin.
He found her with some packages waiting at their meeting point. She sat in a chair with her legs crossed sipping some tea. McCoy quickly pulled up a chair and filled her in.
"Leonard, are you sure this man is Spock's cousin?" she asked shocked. She and Spock were not really an item yet. She had lute lessons with him and he would on occasion have dinner with him. She wanted their relationship to become something more than just friendship and she had hoped that the anticipated shore leave would speed things along.
"Yep, Ny. He looks just like Spock. It's eerie with him smiling all the time...I never pictured Spock smiling. I think you'll like him." McCoy looked at the bags. "Wha'ts all this."
"Just a few things for shore leave" she replied not looking him in the eye.
"Still trying to snag that Vulcan? Well good luck with that! Who knows, maybe his cousin is a godsend."
Nyota was curious. "What do you mean?"
"Look I know Spock wants you. It's obvious to me and Jim. I am sure that he feels that his snail like pace is just so 'logical.' Charlie's presense may just up the ante a bit. Has he even kissed you yet?"
"Leonard!"
"I thought not." McCoy stood up. "Here they come."
McCoy watched as Jim and Charlie and his band approached them. He looked at Nyota to see her reaction.
Nyota was shocked the moment she saw Charlie. He really was the spitting image of Spock. She tried not to stare too hard when the captain walked over to them. Charlie's hair was parted on this side. He was just as handsome as her Spock but without the ears. He grinned at her as his eyes roamed over her full of appreciation.
"Charlie, this is Lieutenant Uhura our Communications Officer" the captain said. He looked at the bags. "I see you finished your shopping."
"Yes captain" she replied unable to tear her eyes away from Charlie. Their eyes locked for a moment and she felt herself grow warm under his stare.
"Ms Uhura" Charlie said taking her hand. He bent down and kissed it. "Such a lovely name for a beautiful woman. It is 'Miss' I hope." He ran his eyes over her again.
Nyota smiled "Yes it is"
Charlie grinned. "Ah, I see luck is on my side."
Nyota's mind was on overload. Even his voice sounded like Spock's. She found herself doing a mental comparison of the two. Other than the ears, the eyebrows and the smile, they were very much the same.
"I do believe Charlie that Spock has his eye on her" Bones interjected trying not to laugh at the look Nyota gave him once he spoke.
"Oh really?" Charlie said. "I hope that his intentions are honorable. A beautiful woman such as yourself deserves only the best."
"I'm sure his intentions are honorable" Kirk replied. He pulled out his communicator and hailed the Enterprise. "Enterprise to Mr. Scott!"
"Scotty here captain."
"Mr Scott, please prepare to beam Dr. McCoy and Lieutenant Uhura aboard. Once they are safely back on the Enterprise, you can beam me up and the party of four."
"Aye aye, captain"
"Kirk out" He put the communicator back in his pocket and looked at Bones.
"I would appreciate if you would let me handle things, Bones." Kirk said staring at him, emphasizing his words. He knew that Bones understood what he was trying to convey.
"Of course, Jim" Bones replied still grinning even as Kirk watched them disappear due to being transported. He then turned to Charlie and his band.
"I have prepared quarters for you and I hope your time on the Enterprise will enjoyable"
Charlie nodded. "I am sure that we will find everything sufficient, captain and I appreciate your hospitality."
He then turned to the band. "Let me introduce you to everyone." He grabbed the hand of a young lady with long dark hair. She looked to be no more than about twenty.
"This is Hailey. She's our drummer." Charlie said. Hailey stepped forward and extended her hand.
Kirk smiled. "Hello Hailey"
She returned his smile. "Captain."
These two are brothers." Charlie said pointing to the two young men. "This is Luke and Rory"
Luke nodded and Rory extended his hand to Kirk. There was no mistaking them as brothers because they both looked so much alike. Luke was the taller of the two with dirty blond hair and Rory's hair was a pale blond. Both had the same green eyes.
Scotty hailed the captain and he pulled out his communicator again.
"Prepare to beam us aboard, Mr. Scott" Kirk said. In just moments he felt the familiar tingle and then found himself and the party standing on the transporter pad on the Enterprise.
Dr. McCoy and Uhura had already left the transporter room and Kirk was glad. He would handle the reintroduction of Charlie and Spock himself.
"Mr. Scott, have Mr. Spock meet me in Conference Room three" Kirk said as he walked off of the pad.
"Aye, captain"
He turned to Charlie. "I am sure that you and your cousin would like to get reacquainted as soon as possible."
Charlie didn't reply, but just smiled and Kirk wondered what he was thinking.
"Mr. Scott, will you have someone escort our guests to their quarters." He looked at Charlie. "You can leave your things here and come with me. Mr. Scott will take care of everything."
"Aye, captain" Scotty responded nodding his head.
Charlie didn't say anything, but followed the captain as he requested. The captain was suprised to see Bones outside of the Conference Room.
"I don't recall inviting you here, doctor" he said as they walked in.
"You didn't think I'd miss this blessed reunion did you Jim" Bones responded dryly.
"I just want you on good behavior, doctor" he said giving Bones his most no nonsense look.
"Of course" Bones replied still grinning in eager anticipation.
Only a few moments passed and Spock walked into the conference room. He saw Charlie and raised an eyebrow. He then turned to the captain.
"I came as soon as I received your message" Spock replied. "You are in need of my assistance?"
"Don't you have anything else to say" Bones snapped looking at Charlie and then back at Spock.
"Whatever do you wish me to say doctor?" Spock replied his face a mask.
"Spock" the captain said looking at him "This is our guest. Perhaps you recognize him?"
Spock looked at Charlie. "Good evening Sir. I am Spock. You are Mr..." He paused waiting for Charlie to fill in the blank.
Charlie's face immediately fell. "God man! You act as if you don't know who I am?"
Spock stared at him a moment. "Have we met before? I'm sorry sir but I don't recall a previous meeting."
Kirk stared at Spock in disbelief. How could he not recognize his cousin that looked so much like him? Spock never ceased to amaze him!
"It's me Spock...Charlie!" Charlie walked over to him and crossed his arms.
"Charlie?" Spock said looking puzzled. "You'll have to clarify. Under what circumstances have we had prior contact?"
Bones turned to Jim. "Can you believe this crap!"
The captain held up his hand, silencing Bones. He turned to Spock trying to keep his voice level.
"Spock this man claims to be your cousin, Charles Andrew Grayson. Are you telling me that he is some sort of fraud?"
"How can he be a fraud Jim? He's the spitting image of that hobgoblin!" Bones snapped unable to keep quiet any longer.
Kirk gave Bones a look and then turned to Spock. Before he could respond, Charlie spoke up, the anger and hurt in his voice obvious.
"I guess now you'll tell them that you don't have a cousin!" Charlie spat. The fact that Spock didn't recognize him hurt him more than he wanted to let on.
Spock straightened up. "I do have a cousin Charles Grayson. However you must forgive me as I have not seen him in over twenty years. Prior to that, I believe we were only in each other's company for a total number of six times. As I can recall, you were quite hyperactive and loud. You were never still long enough for me to record to memory your exact facial features which is why I believe that I failed to recognize you."
Kirk watched as Charlie drew up his posture and became a mirror image of Spock. "I see." he said looking at Spock. "I guess if you don't remember what I look like, I doubt if you even remember your aunt and uncle or even care to know how they are doing."
Spock's face remained stoic. He paused a moment before speaking.
"I do recall your mother and father. They were very kind to me when I did visit. They always tried to keep you calm when you were in my presence because your incessant chatter always gave me a headache." He stood there staring at Charlie not saying anything further.
Kirk watched a nerve tick in Charlie's jaw. "So it's me you don't approve of, not my parents. Am I hearing you correctly Spock."
"I wasn't aware that you needed my approval, Charles" Spock countered. "Had that been the case being a Rhodes Scholar and graduating at the top of your class, you would have done the logical thing and put your knowledge and education to good use and not waste it on your pipe dream of chasing after fame and fortune in a so called 'rock band'. As I can recall, you had an IQ of 140. Wasting such intelligence is illogical and irresponsible. You are a total disappointment to your entire family, especially my mother."
Charlie was shaking in fury. "I have not wasted my life as you have stated, cousin." He glanced at Bones and Kirk. "How would you know who I disappointed? You didn't bother to come around us illogical humans. Aunt Amanda never acted as if she was ashamed of my choices, only you and your father! You barely tolerated us! I think you're ashamed of being half human!"
Spock turned to the captain. "If you have no further need of me, I will take my leave."
He then turned and walked out of the conference room before he even heard the captain's reply.
